COLLIE McGurk and his management team will face an anxious wait by the phone on Friday night, as 23 of Derry's squad are set to play club football games eight days before their Nicky Rackard Cup Final on Saturday, June 10.

Of the 36 man panel, 15 are expected to be in action for Slaughtneil and Banagher.  Slaughtneil face top of the table Magherafelt at Emmet Park.  Already Meehaul McGrath picked up a knock at county training on Wednesday night but is expected to recover fully for the Croke Park clash.

At the other end of the table, relegation threatened Banagher have a crucial clash at home to Glenullin, who are expected to have both Eoin and Paddy Bradley available.

Following defeat to Slaughtneil, Banagher parted company with manager Paddy Downey in his second year at the helm.  The club have swiftly moved to appoint a new joint managerial ticket, with Moortown duo Conal Lavery and Niall Conlan taking charge.  Conlan had previous spells with Ballymaguigan and Newbridge.

With eight games remaining, Banagher are a point adrift of Swatragh at the bottom of the table, with the Davitt's having a game in hand.

NEXT 5 GAMES

SWATRAGH: Lavey (H), Bellaghy (A), Coleraine (H), Kilrea (H), Glenullin (A)

BANAGHER: Glenullin (H), Loup (A), Magherafelt (A), Ballinascreen (H), Ballinderry (A)

Dungiven and Kilrea, also lingering above the drop zone, meet on Friday night at Pearse Park in a championship dress rehearsal.

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